GG-1 ? ? ?

[tatans]

Those big odd (but neat) looking engines were electric weren't they? how was the power picked up, by catenary or 3rd rail? How did they sound? AND if any one models this type, is your whole layout covered with overhead wiring or do you use the rail type of pick-up. All big mysteries to a non-electric upbringing. And was Pennsy the only railway that used them.

[dharmon]

Pennsy was the original owner of all GG1s. Conrail, NJT, and Amtrak got them as second hand users. They used overhead catenary 25hz power via the pantographs. If you go to the BLI website, they have a sound byte of their HO model which is pretty accurate. Google search GG1 and you can find an abundance of info on these beauties...

[IRONROOSTER]

I run a GG1 on my layout, but I don't have and am not planning catenary. I just don't like catenary, but I do like the GG1.
Enjoy
Paul

[jimrice4449]

I,ve got one because I think it's a masterpiece of industrial design. I'm not about to install catenary even though I also have a Milwaukee Bi-Polar. I'll just run them with a couple of baggage cars between the engine and the rest of the train and if anybody quibbles about the absence of wires I'll tell him the baggage cars are full of batteries.

[AntonioFP45]

Tatans,

These locomotives were impressive. A single one (with the higher speed gearing) could haul a 20 car passenger train at 100mph. They outlasted their replacements, the GE E60 CP. Their is A LOT OF HISTORY on these units, but I couldn't do them justice with a few sentences here. There are a bunch of books and web info on this locomotive as well as the Pennsy Railroad. I believe there is at least one GG1 at the Museum at Strasburg.

They sounded like "Refrigerators". That's been the traditional description of the sound. Ironically, these units were built by GE, Westinghouse (both built great refrigerators!) as well as the Pennsy railroad's shop forces, which were second to none.

It's easy to hear what a GG1 sounded like. Just go to Broadway Limited's website. Click on Products. Then, click on the GG1. You'll see an available sound byte. (You'll need some type of media player).

I'm sure more guys here can chime in with some more info.

(PennsyHoosier...........hint! ..........hint![;)][8D]

[rrinker]

My father in law started his railroad career working in the yard at Coatesville, PA, when GG-1's were still in active service (by that time - on freight trains as much as passenger trains), and what he says about them is that they were QUIET - a train could come barrelling down one o the mains and you wouldn't hear it until it was right on top of you. Unlike the E33's and E44's that screamd like banshees. He thinks the BLI GG-1 he has is right on with the sound.

--Randy

[METRO]

The GG1 actually also served over across the pond on British Railways as the Class 80 I believe. Good luck finding any pictures as the British Government actually wanted to keep the locomotive a secret as they were quite embarrassed that they were testing an American engine.

They actually went so far as to only run them at night, and had security provided by MI5!

What I know of what the locomotive looked like, is that it was painted flat black (much like some of the Amtrak GG1s) with the BR double arrows logo in white on the side. Photos are amazingly rare but do exist.

~METRO

[rrinker]

I'd LOVE to see pictures of that!

--Randy

[ozoneone]

When I was a kid I always saw many GG1's in Sunnyside yard, Queens, NYC, as I passed through on the LIRR. They were mostly PC black, but there were others. I marveled at the might and beauty of these locos.

[Jetrock]

The GG-1 may well be a high point of electric locomotive design, but there were plenty of other electrics out there--everything from single-truck trolleys to heavyweight freight motors. They were indeed very quiet--much quieter than the diesels that replaced a lot of them.

I'm not about to do catenary but I have done a little trolley wire, and think it adds a great deal of character to a line...it takes some patience but is no harder than, say, laying track. Just remember to do it AFTER you've done your tracklaying and ground/street work!

[twhite]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jimrice4449

I,ve got one because I think it's a masterpiece of industrial design. I'm not about to install catenary even though I also have a Milwaukee Bi-Polar. I'll just run them with a couple of baggage cars between the engine and the rest of the train and if anybody quibbles about the absence of wires I'll tell him the baggage cars are full of batteries.

Yo, Jim--same thing I do with my Swiss Crocodile, LOL!
Tom[}:)]

[tatans]

For all you GG-1 fans try www.railpace.com/photogallery/old/gg1.jpg but be prepared, as we all know what is about to happen don't we. I remember the rows, but they were steam, if only I had known.

[dknelson]

The railroad museum in Green Bay WI has a beauty and it is protected under cover in a brightly lit building, together with their Big Boy, and British 4-6-2 and train together with some other stuff, including snow plows and an Alco switcher.
I have seen photos of a GG-1 that was cut in half and used I think as a snow plow by the PRR
Dave Nelson